BELLVUE, Colo., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ — Art lovers everywhere will have a unique opportunity to acquire original art by well-known artists, support a good cause, and spend the day in a picturesque mountain valley at the 15th Annual Richard Schmid Fine Art Auction on Sunday, September 5, 2010. (www.RichardSchmidAuction.com)

Bidding is expected to be especially spirited at this year’s auction, which has grown over the years into a major event in the art world. Last year hundreds of bidders packed the auction tent and took home art that ranged in price from under $1,000 to over$40,000. Those with a sharp eye just might discover an up-and-coming superstar in the silent auction, which features over 75 pieces with opening bids as low as $250. View the artwork, register to bid and bid online on the auction’s Web site.

Proceeds help support both the artists and the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department, which depends entirely on donations to protect the homes and people in over 100 square miles west of Fort Collins. Since its humble beginnings in 1996, over 1,100 pieces of fine original art have been auctioned for a total of more than $1.6 million.

In keeping with tradition, the last paintings to be auctioned will be the two works founding artist Richard Schmid painted specially for this year’s auction. Schmid, a former resident of Rist Canyon, plans to attend the auction, and hopes his paintings will help make it a record-breaker.

"REFLECTION" 20"x16", oil Starting bid: $20,000

“My art has become a more powerful tool for good than I ever imagined,” says Schmid. “It gives me great joy to use my talents to help others.” His daughter, artist Molly Schmid, who already has quite a following of her own, is also featured in the auction.

The art preview and silent auction open at 10:00 a.m.; the live auction gets underway promptly at 1:00 p.m. While waiting for the live auction to begin, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of attractions at the Rist Canyon Mountain Festival, including a huge book sale, craft market, live entertainment and plenty of food. Admission to both the festival and art auctions are free.

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Providing news about art collectors, collections and investments. Including the how to's, the why's and the where's of art collecting. Wanda Pepin, Christina Madden and Elaine Frenett are all professional artists who keep up on the world of art, while creating amazing works of art themselves.